Abstract: An in-vehicle system for controlling electrical systems of a vehicle includes a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a left hand of a driver on a steering wheel of the vehicle and a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a right hand of the driver on the steering wheel of the vehicle. Using data from the sensors, a controller may select, based on a prediction, one or more interactive control elements with which the driver will interact, wherein the selection is based on either a detected absence of the driver left hand on the steering wheel or a detected absence of the driver right hand on the steering wheel, and a controller increases a brightness of lighting elements associated with the selected interactive control elements.

Abstract: A flag pole assembly for use with a vehicle having a trailer hitch, the flag pole assembly comprising a horizontal member having oppositely disposed first and distal ends, wherein the horizontal member includes a first hole in the first end to attach the horizontal member to the hitch of a vehicle and the horizontal member is at least thirty inches long, a vertical member coupled to the distal end of the horizontal member and the vertical member extends upward, and at least one attachment link is affixed to the vertical member for attaching a first ornament.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle includes a control panel that receives user inputs. The control panel includes a contact sensor and a face plate that extends over the contact sensor. The face plate has a plurality of control elements that interact with the contact sensor during use of the control panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that involve administration of an anti-S1 P antibody or antibody fragment or derivative to a subject having or suspected of having an ocular disease or condition, including one involving choroidal neovascularization, in order to achieve a desired effect. Such effects include reducing the size of a choroidal neovascularization lesion in the eye, decreasing or resolving retinal pigment epithelial detachment, decreasing central retinal lesion thickness, and preserving or improving visual acuity. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an anti-S1 P antibody for ocular administration are also provided. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for treating subjects having age-related macular degeneration, particularly exudative or wet age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: A suturing assembly is provided that is configured to pull a capsule attached to a suture through tissue. The suturing assembly includes a shaft aligned on a longitudinal axis of the suturing assembly, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The proximal portion houses a needle that is movable through a needle exit port. The proximal portion of the head and the needle exit port are both aligned on the longitudinal axis. A proximal side of the distal end of the head defines a cavity adapted to receive the capsule and a distal side of the distal end of the head defines a slot adapted to allow the suture to pass through the distal end of the head and into the cavity.

Abstract: A steering wheel is configured as a dual-state input device configured to operate in two distinct states based on a current driving mode. In a manual driving mode, the input device is configured to control a limited set of vehicle functions and in an autonomous mode the input device is configured to control an expanded set of vehicle functions. The steering wheel includes a wheel rim movably mounted on a steering column and a hub disposed within a center of the wheel rim on the steering column, the main body portion comprising an interactive touch screen disposed on the main body portion. The wheel rim is configured to disengage from the hub and move along the steering column to a retracted position.

Abstract: A flag pole assembly for use with a vehicle having a trailer hitch, the flag pole assembly comprising a horizontal member having oppositely disposed first and distal ends, wherein the horizontal member includes a first hole in the first end to attach the horizontal member to the hitch of a vehicle and the horizontal member is at least thirty inches long, a vertical member coupled to the distal end of the horizontal member and the vertical member extends upward, and at least one attachment link is affixed to the vertical member for attaching a first ornament.

Abstract: A suturing assembly is provided that is configured to pull a capsule attached to a suture through tissue. The suturing assembly includes a shaft aligned on a longitudinal axis of the suturing assembly, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The proximal portion houses a needle that is movable through a needle exit port. The proximal portion of the head and the needle exit port are both aligned on the longitudinal axis. A proximal side of the distal end of the head defines a cavity adapted to receive the capsule and a distal side of the distal end of the head defines a slot adapted to allow the suture to pass through the distal end of the head and into the cavity.

Abstract: A suturing assembly is provided that is configured to pull a capsule attached to a suture through tissue. The suturing assembly includes a shaft aligned on a longitudinal axis of the suturing assembly, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The proximal portion houses a needle that is movable through a needle exit port. The proximal portion of the head and the needle exit port are both aligned on the longitudinal axis. A proximal side of the distal end of the head defines a cavity adapted to receive the capsule and a distal side of the distal end of the head defines a slot adapted to allow the suture to pass through the distal end of the head and into the cavity.

Abstract: A method of suturing tissue includes engaging tissue with a suturing head, driving a needle from a proximal end portion of the suturing head through the tissue, and engaging a capsule disposed in a distal end portion of the suturing head with the needle, the capsule comprising a length of suture attached thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising one or more Streptococcus uberis proteins, or an immunogenic part thereof, wherein the composition is capable of eliciting an immune response, when administered to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising one or more Streptococcus uberis sortase-anchored surface proteins, or an immunogenic part thereof, wherein the composition is capable of eliciting an immune response, when administered to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that involve administration of an anti-S1 P antibody or antibody fragment or derivative to a subject having or suspected of having an ocular disease or condition, including one involving choroidal neovascularization, in order to achieve a desired effect. Such effects include reducing the size of a choroidal neovascularization lesion in the eye, decreasing or resolving retinal pigment epithelial detachment, decreasing central retinal lesion thickness, and preserving or improving visual acuity. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an anti-S1 P antibody for ocular administration are also provided. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for treating subjects having age-related macular degeneration, particularly exudative or wet age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: A suturing assembly is provided that is configured to pull a capsule attached to a suture through tissue. The suturing assembly includes a shaft aligned on a longitudinal axis of the suturing assembly, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The proximal portion houses a needle that is movable through a needle exit port. The proximal portion of the head and the needle exit port are both aligned on the longitudinal axis. A proximal side of the distal end of the head defines a cavity adapted to receive the capsule and a distal side of the distal end of the head defines a slot adapted to allow the suture to pass through the distal end of the head and into the cavity.

Abstract: A suturing assembly configured to place suture in tissue includes a handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion housing a needle movable through a needle exit port and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, the distal end defining a cavity. The actuator is configured to move the needle out of the needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head and across the throat to engage a capsule disposed in the cavity formed in the distal end of the head, the capsule attached to the suture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising one or more Streptococcus uberis sortase-anchored surface proteins, or an immunogenic part thereof, wherein the composition is capable of eliciting an immune response, when administered to a subject.

Abstract: A method for flavoring a shaped snack has the steps of: providing an outer package, providing a tray sealed within the outer package, providing a plurality of shaped snacks arranged in the tray, and providing a flavoring package with a flavoring therein. The method also contains the steps of opening the outer package, removing the tray from the outer package, opening the flavoring package, applying the flavoring for the flavoring package to the shaped snacks while they are in the tray, re-inserting the tray into the outer package while the shaped snacks are in the tray, and agitating the outer package to distribute the flavoring. The flavoring package may be opened at any time prior to adding the flavoring to the shaped snacks. A kit for flavoring a plurality of shaped snacks is also described.

Abstract: A method of suturing tissue includes engaging tissue with a suturing head, driving a needle from a proximal end portion of the suturing head through the tissue, and engaging a capsule disposed in a distal end portion of the suturing head with the needle, the capsule comprising a length of suture attached thereto.

Abstract: A suturing assembly configured to place suture in tissue includes a handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion housing a needle movable through a needle exit port and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, the distal end defining a cavity. The actuator is configured to move the needle out of the needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head and across the throat to engage a capsule disposed in the cavity formed in the distal end of the head, the capsule attached to the suture.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating a plurality of items each of which has a respective readable validation reference, in which information is read from the validation references, one or more items of the items is identified based on information read by the reading means, and the information is verified by comparison with stored data relating to location, origin or ownership of the one or more items.